In preparation for the first Central Asia–Republic of Korea summit, scheduled for September 16-17, 2026, in Seoul, a correspondent for Korea’s leading news agency, Yonhap, Song Do-hyun arrived in Turkmenistan. During his visit, the foreign guest visited our editorial office, where he shared his expectations for the forthcoming meeting of leaders, assessed our country’s industrial potential and shared his impressions of Ashgabat, Mary and Turkmenbashi.

Dear Mr. Song Do-hyun, Seoul will host the first Central Asia–Republic of Korea summit in September. What are the main expectations of your country’s political and business circles from this historic meeting?

The forthcoming summit will, without exaggeration, be a turning point that will elevate our relations to a qualitatively new level. The political and business communities of the Republic of Korea sincerely hope that this meeting will fill our economic cooperation with new practical content.

We are particularly hopeful about developing cooperation in such strategic areas as climate change and digital transformation. Korean companies see the summit as an excellent opportunity to strengthen their presence in the Central Asian market and to build long-term, trusting relationships with local partners. We believe that this meeting will lay a solid foundation for mutual prosperity for decades to come.

Which areas of the Turkmen economy do Korean businesses currently consider the most promising for investment and joint projects?

Our business is showing great interest in high-tech industries that can effectively complement Turkmenistan’s abundant natural resources. Along with our traditional strengths, energy and construction, projects for the creation of smart manufacturing and environmentally friendly energy solutions appear extremely promising.

In the context of Turkmenistan’s economic diversification policy, the modernization of the textile industry and the introduction of modern agricultural technologies could become important growth areas. Furthermore, the digitalization of health care and the development of smart cities are areas where Korea’s advanced experience could bring the greatest benefit.

Turkmenistan is currently actively implementing digital solutions in all sectors. Which Korean IT technologies could be applied, for example, in our domestic oil and gas sector?

Turkmenistan’s commitment to digitalization opens up enormous opportunities for advanced Korean IT solutions. First, these include artificial intelligence (AI)-based technologies for data analysis and the optimization of raw material production. Second, these include real-time pipeline monitoring systems based on the Internet of Things (IoT), which dramatically improve transportation safety. Third, these include process automation according to smart factory standards, minimizing the risk of accidents and reducing operating costs.

These technologies, built on precise data management, have the potential to become a key factor in the global competitiveness of Turkmenistan’s energy sector.

During your stay in Turkmenistan, you visited leading companies in our oil and gas sector. How do you assess their potential for developing cooperation?

I was deeply impressed by the scale of production and the systematic approach to management at the facilities I visited. Modernized plants and developed infrastructure confirm your country’s status as a global energy power.

Korea’s advanced engineering expertise, combined with Turkmenistan’s abundant resource base, can yield tremendous results. Moreover, the prospects for our cooperation are limitless, not only in hydrocarbon production but also in the production of high-value-added petrochemicals and in the joint transition to environmentally friendly technologies.

You visited Ashgabat, Turkmenbashi and ancient Mary. What pleasant surprises did you encounter during your business trip?

This trip gave me a much warmer and more profound emotional experience than I expected. The most pleasant discovery was the incredible hospitality of the Turkmen people and their genuine interest in Korean culture – I felt it everywhere.

From a professional perspective, the contrast between the thousand-year history of Mary and the powerful industrial pulse of Turkmenbashi provided excellent material for reporting. And, of course, I was deeply touched by my meetings with representatives of the local Korean diaspora. They have carefully preserved their national identity while remaining respected and successful citizens of Turkmenistan.

What are your journalistic impressions of the architecture and atmosphere of the Turkmen capital?

My first impression of Ashgabat can be summed up in two notions: “the grandeur of white marble” and “absolute harmony”. The white-marble façades, gleaming in the sun and framed by well-kept green parks, create the impression that the entire city is a single work of art.

The wide, impeccably clean avenues vividly reflect the country’s stability and confident development. The capital city’s modern architecture subtly incorporates traditional ornaments and historical motifs, attaching to it a unique national character. This calm yet powerful energy of the city deeply inspired me and left behind very vivid memories.

What are your main thoughts and feelings you return to Seoul with? What is the first thing you will share with your readers back home?

Upon my return, I want to convey a key message to the Korean audience: Turkmenistan today is not just a resource-rich country; it is a state of innovation, discovering a dynamic future.

I will certainly share the “living voices” of the people I spoke with and discuss how the country combines its natural potential with digital progress. A special place in my articles will be given to the touching story of the Korean diaspora, which for many years has served as a strong bridge of friendship between our peoples. My articles will be filled with an inspiring vision of how deep and promising our partnership, linking the Eurasian continent, can be.

Mr. Song Do-hyun, thank you for the insightful conversation! We wish you and the Yonhap Agency every creative success and a smooth writing process.

Taking this opportunity, I would like to express my sincere gratitude to the creative team of your editorial office for the warm welcome and hospitality!

Ussa USSAYEV,

Editor-in-Chief of the Nebit-Gaz Newspaper